בראשית, פרק ל׳, פסוק ה׳

When a child is born to a maidservant, society naturally expects the infant to inherit the mother's lower status and life of servitude. Yet, within the family of the patriarch, a completely different reality emerges, one where the lineage of these children takes on a new and equal meaning.

The primary approach among commentators is that the narrative specifically highlights Jacob as the father to emphasize the equal standing of the maidservants' sons. Jacob deeply desired these children, openly acknowledged them, and lovingly embraced them as his full sons, treating them no differently than the children of his primary wives, Rachel and Leah [רמב״ן, שד״ל, צאינה וראינה]. This level of acceptance was not a given. Normally, a child's social standing followed the mother's rank. However, Jacob granted the maidservants their freedom, ensuring that their children were recognized entirely as his own legitimate heirs rather than the sons of servants [מלבי״ם, העמק דבר].

This equality had clear, practical results. The sons of the maidservants received an equal share in the family blessings and inheritance, and in time, they would produce leaders and judges exactly like their brothers [רד״ק].

The story intentionally highlights Jacob's role first, emphasizing that the most groundbreaking detail of the birth is the child's complete connection to his father. Once this precedent of equality is established, the focus of later births naturally shifts to the arrival of the new child [מלבי״ם]. A similar connection to Jacob is made later during the births of Leah's fifth and sixth sons. This detail shows that even as the family grew quite large, Jacob continued to desire every single one of his children, drawing them all equally close to him [רמב״ן, שד״ל].